1. About the meeting and scientific program

AbSciCon 2019 is part of a series of conferences organized by the astrobiology community. The conference will span five days and will feature plenary sessions, topical sessions, evening programs, and public and educational events.

The theme for AbSciCon 2019 is “Understanding and Enabling the Search for Life on Worlds Near and Far.” Among other topics, the conference will address planetary system interactions and habitability; alternative and agnostic biosignatures; understanding the environments of early Earth; evidence for early life on Earth; energy sources in the environment and metabolic pathways that use that energy; and ocean worlds near and far.

The full scientific program for AbSciCon 2019 is now available online. The program includes abstracts for more than 800 oral and poster presentations. To search, click on the search button at the top, right-hand corner of the online program. Use the left-hand side menu to browse the program by topic or day.

2. Press registration

Complimentary press registration for AbSciCon 2019 is now available for members of the press for the express purpose of gathering news and information to produce media coverage of AbSciCon 2019. Please visit AGU’s Press Registration Eligibility Requirements page to view the types of professionals who are eligible for press registration and the required credentials they must present.

To register, please email the AGU Public Information Office at [email protected] and include your name, media outlet, contact information, and required press credentials. Be sure to include your name and affiliation as you wish them to appear on your badge. Registrations are approved at the discretion of the AGU Public Information Office and approval may take up to 5 business days.

Eligible members of the press may also register for press credentials on-site at the meeting at the main registration area. Registered press can pick up their meeting badges on-site at the main registration area. Additional information about on-site registration will be included in a future media advisory.

Information for members of the press is available on the Press Information page on the AbSciCon 2019 website.

3. Press Room and hotel information

A Press Room will be available at the meeting for press registrants to work and conduct interviews with attending scientists. Additional information, including the location and hours of the Press Room, and any press events, will be included in a future media advisory.

Members of the press can reserve discounted hotel rooms at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue through the AbSciCon 2019 Housing page. The Hyatt Regency Bellevue is the conference hotel and is located at 900 Bellevue Way NE in Bellevue, Washington, on Seattle’s Eastside. Rooms start at $199 per night.

The deadline to book a hotel room at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue through the AbSciCon website is Tuesday, May 28, 2019.

4. NASA astrobiology media workshop (June 23)

NASA will host a three-hour workshop on Sunday, June 23 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. PDT where experts will report on key focus areas surrounding the detection of life in in Earth’s own extreme environments, beyond Earth, and beyond the solar system.

Journalists and science writers will have an opportunity to learn about such developments as: Detecting evidence of life on early Earth; exploring life in deep-sea hydrothermal vents; detecting life on Mars and ocean worlds; and detecting evidence of habitability and life on exoplanets.

Plenty of time will be provided for questions and discussion.

Registration for AbSciCon is not required to attend the workshop, but pre-registration for the workshop is encouraged.

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